CHICAGO – The Chicago Bears have pledged to cast a wide net in their head coach search, and it stands to reason the franchise’s most attractive asset, quarterback Caleb Williams, could lead them to an offensive mind. A prospect with a defensive background likely would have to blow the Bears away with a detailed plan centered around Williams to guide the organization back to relevance. One bright possibility certain to garner the attention of the Bears and other teams searching for their next hire in the upcoming hiring cycle will be on the opposite sideline Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field – Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson, 38, is at the controls of the NFL’s most dynamic offense, and after interviewing with seven teams over the past two years, it’s possible he will have his choice of opportunities this time. In January, Johnson pulled out of interviews with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders after the Lions lost in the NFC championship game, and in 2023 he declined an in-person interview with the Carolina Panthers when he was reportedly the front-runner.
“I give him a lot of credit,” said a high-placed source with a team that interviewed Johnson for a head coaching position. “Ben was good. He was aware enough to say, ‘You know what, I think we have a good thing going here. I’m not quite ready. Let me just wait and take my time to be ready for the job when I get it.’ He’s got some emotional intelligence.” The injury-ravaged Lions are 32-9 over their last 41 regular-season games, and Johnson’s calculated approach, which those who know him well say permeates everything he does, has only strengthened his resume.
The Lions (12-2) are a juggernaut on offense, ranking first in scoring at 32.8 points per game, second in yards, sixth in rushing, second in passing, fifth on third down, and second in the red zone.
And they are far and away the leader in creativity. The Lions set right tackle Penei Sewell up to throw a pass against the Bears, although it didn’t work. Swing tackle Dan Skipper caught a touchdown pass in last week’s barnburner against the Buffalo Bills. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has thrown a touchdown pass. Hook-and-ladders are a regular staple in the playbook. If you can imagine it, Johnson probably has drawn it up already. While Johnson was new to the interview cycle in 2023, he was considered red-hot in January before withdrawing from consideration by the Seahawks and Commanders.
“There’s a lot of things that go into it, a lot of reasons and dynamics that play a part,” Johnson told Detroit media in January. “Something that really resonates with me is, OK, eight openings this past year. What would you set the over/under (at) in three years? How many still have jobs? I’d put the over/under at 4 1/2. I’d say there’s a good chance five of them are out of jobs in three years, you know? And so when I look at it from that perspective, if I get the opportunity to go down that road, it’s about how do I get to that second contract? How do I set myself up?
“The stars need to align. I’m not going to do it just to do it. I love what I’m doing right now. Love it. I love where I’m at. My family loves where we’re at. Love the people that we’re doing it with. So I’m not willing to go down the other path yet, unless I feel really good about how it’s going to unfold.” How Johnson views the Bears’ opening is unknown. He’ll surely want to perform his due diligence on the inner workings at Halas Hall and the roster when the time is appropriate. It would be surprising if his name wasn’t prominent on the list President/CEO Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles are building.
“Last couple of years, getting thrown in the coordinator role, things get on you fast and you don’t really have time to think about the future a whole lot,” Johnson said Thursday in his weekly news conference. “Now that I’ve been through the ringer a couple of times, had some interviews, I certainly do feel more prepared just from a big-picture standpoint. “But right now, we’ve got three games left in the regular season, going into the postseason, and honestly this is why I’m here. This is why I wanted to be here. I have an obligation to the people in the building to be right where my feet are and when I walk in and I see the coaches staying long nights and working as hard as they’re doing, and I come in and I see the guys, the players, in the meeting room and on the practice field, attacking each day like they are, it’s hard for my mind to wander much.
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